The Colombian Senate passed a phased ban on cruel animal entertainment practices on Friday morning (16th) local time.
The measure is aimed directly at bullfighting, but excludes other practices such as cockfighting.
The bill, approved by the Senate, requires entrepreneurs in this type of activity to gradually look for alternatives for their economic income over the next three years, according to local radio station RCN Radio.
Among the changes that the proposal has undergone, it is worth highlighting that cockfighting will be removed from the ban while conditions are being studied to avoid animal abuse in the corralejas, similar to the capeas in Spain.
“The Senate is making history,” exulted Alianza Verde Senator Andrea Padilla, the driving force behind the proposal. She thanked the crowds of people supporting the government and also the opposition Cambio Radical who have joined the measure.
Padilla also thanked the country’s President Gustavo Petro, Senate President Roy Barreras and Colombian Interior Minister Alfonso Prada on social media.
The bill has not progressed without uncertainty as there was even a possibility that the quorum could be broken during the session as at least thirty senators walked out of the room.
This prompted Barreras to extend the session so that the vote could eventually take place with all the required parliamentarians present.
In order for the Alianza Verde senator’s proposal to be finally enshrined in Colombian law, it must be debated up to twice in the Chamber of Deputies.
With information from latinapress